00-18560. Safety Zone: Groton Long Point Yacht Club Fireworks Display, Main Beach, Groton Long Point, CT

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone for the Groton Long Point Yacht Club Fireworks Display to be held in Long Island Sound, Groton Long Point, CT on July 22, 2000. This action is needed to protect persons, facilities, vessels and others in the maritime community from the safety hazards associated with this fireworks display.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 9 p.m. on July 22, 2000, until 10:15 p.m. on July 23, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Documents relating to this temporary final rule are available for inspection and copying at U.S. Coast Guard Group/Marine Safety Office Long Island Sound, 120 Woodward Avenue, New Haven, CT 06512. Normal office hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Chief Chris Stubblefield, Command Center, Group/Marine Safety Office Long Island Sound, New Haven, CT [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553 the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a NPRM and making this temporary final rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The sponsor of the event did not provide the Coast Guard with the final details for the event in sufficient time to publish a NPRM or a final rule 30 days in advance. The delay encountered if normal rulemaking procedures were followed would effectively cancel the event. Cancellation of this event is contrary to the public interest since the fireworks display is for the benefit of the public.

Background and Purpose

The Groton Long Point Yacht Club of Groton Long Point, CT is sponsoring a fireworks display off the main beach in Groton Long Point, CT. The fireworks display will occur from 9:00 p.m. until 10:15 p.m. on July 22, 2000. The safety zone covers all waters of the Long Island Sound within a 600 foot radius of the fireworks launching barge which will be located off of the main beach in Groton Long Point, CT in approximate position: 41°−18.′05″N, 072°−02.′08″W, (NAD 1983). This zone is required to protect the maritime community from the safety dangers associated with this fireworks display. Entry into or movement within this zone will be prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his on-scene representative.

Regulatory Evaluation

This rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order. It is not “significant” under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this proposal to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. This safety zone involves only a portion of Long Island Sound and entry into this zone will be restricted for only 75 minutes on July 22, 2000. Although this regulation prevents traffic from transiting this section of Long Island Sound, the effect of this regulation will not be significant for several reasons: the duration of the event is limited; the event is at a late hour; all vessel traffic may safely pass around this safety zone; and extensive, advance maritime advisories will be made.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term “small entities” comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000.

The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule will affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in a portion of Long Island Sound from 9 p.m. until 10:15 p.m. on July 22, 2000. This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: The duration of the event is limited; the event is at a late hour; all vessel traffic may safely pass around this safety zone; and extensive, advance maritime advisories will be made.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under subsection 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [Pub. L. 104-121], we offered to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with Federal regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).

Collection of Information

This rule calls for no collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132, and have determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism under that Order.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) governs the issuance of Federal regulations that require unfunded mandates. An unfunded mandate is a regulation that requires a State, local, or tribal government or the private sector to incur direct costs without the Federal Government having first provided the funds to pay those unfunded mandate costs. This rule will not impose an unfunded mandate.

Taking of Private Property

This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under E.O. 12630, Government Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

We have analyzed this rule under E.O. 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and does not concern an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children.

Environment

The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this rule and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g), of Commandant Instruction, M 16475.C, this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. A “Categorical Exclusion Determination” is available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under Addresses.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

• Harbors
• Marine safety
• Navigation (water)
• Reports and recordkeeping requirements
• Security measures
• Waterways

For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 165 as follows:

PART 165—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6 and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46. Section 165.100 is also issued under authority of Sec. 311, Pub.L. 105-383

2. Add temporary § 165.T01-142 to read as follows:

§165.T01-142

Groton Long Point Yacht Club Display, Main Beach, Groton Long Point, CT.

(a) Location. The safety zone includes all waters of Long Island Sound within a 600 foot radius of the launch site located on the Long Island Sound 600 feet south of Main Beach, Groton Long Point, CT in approximate position: 41°−18′.05″N, 072°−02′.08″W.

(b) Effective date. This section is effective from 9 p.m., on July 22, 2000 until 10:15 p.m., on July 23, 2000.

(c) (1) Regulations. The general regulations covering safety zones contained in § 165.23 of this part apply.

(2) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or the designated on scene patrol personnel. U. S. Coast Guard patrol personnel include commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the Coast Guard. Upon being hailed by a U. S. Coast Guard Vessel via siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed.

Dated: June 25, 2000.

David P. Pekoske,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound.